HOW PARENTS CAN SUPPORT THEIR CHILDREN'S PLAY

Nancy Carlsson-Paige and Diane E. Levin, authors of three books on children and war, suggest the following guidelines for parents:

Know what kind of toys your child is using.

Know how your child is using war toys and other play materials.

Help your child use playthings in new ways.

Provide open-ended toys, props, and materials to use with single-purpose toys.

Help your child make his own toys and props.

Look for scrounge materials (items bound for the trash that are clean and safe) and help your child invent interesting ways to use them.